ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2014-15 STAR MEMBERS - JUNE 2016 FULL MEMBERS Cambridge Theatre SECC and The SSE Hydro, Glasgow Albemarle of...
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ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2014-15

STAR MEMBERS - JUNE 2016 FULL MEMBERS

Cambridge Theatre

SECC and The SSE Hydro, Glasgow

Albemarle of London

Criterion Theatre

Shaftesbury Theatre

Amazon Tickets

Delfont Mackintosh Theatres

Sheffield Arena

ATG Tickets

Donmar Warehouse Theatre

Southport Theatre and Convention Centre

AXS

Duchess Theatre

The SSE Arena, Wembley

DHP Family

Duke of York’s Theatre

Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough

eLondonTickets

Echo Arena, Liverpool

Sunderland Empire

Encore Tickets

Edinburgh Playhouse

Theatre Royal Brighton

Eventim UK

Empire Theatre, Liverpool

Theatre Royal Drury Lane

fromtheboxoffice.com

Fortune Theatre

Theatre Royal Glasgow

Gigantic Tickets

Garrick Theatre

Trafalgar Studios

lastminute.com

Genting Arena, Birmingham

Vaudeville Theatre

Last Second Tickets

Gielgud Theatre

Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent

Leicester Square Box Office

Grand Opera House, York

Victoria Palace

London Theatre Bookings

Harold Pinter Theatre

Watford Palace Theatre

London Theatre Direct

Her Majesty’s Theatre

Wyndhams Theatre

MDQ Tickets

King’s Theatre, Glasgow

York Theatre Royal

PiccBox

Leas Cliff Hall

Quaytickets

Live Nation

Seatlive

London Coliseum

Barley Arts International

See Tickets

London Palladium

Cameron Mackintosh

Skiddle.com

The Lowry, Salford

Disney Theatrical Productions

Theatre Tickets Direct

Lyceum Theatre

ebp Live

Ticket Arena

Lyric Theatre

Eleven Arches

The Ticket Factory

Manchester Opera House

The Ticket Machine Group

Manchester Palace Thetare

The Ticket Sellers

Milton Keynes Theatre

Ticketline

Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff

Ticketmaster UK

Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham

Ticket Quarter

Nederlander Dominion Theatre

TicketSource

New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

Ticket Text

New London Theatre

TicketWeb (UK)

New Theatre, Oxford

TicketZone

New Victoria Theatre, Woking

Time Out

New Wimbledon Theatre and Studio

TodayTix

Newcastle Theatre Royal

TYG Ltd

Nimax Theatres

WeGotTickets

Noel Coward Theatre

WhatsOnStage

Novello Theatre

Wilson Digital Media

Nuffield Theatre, Southampton

YPlan

02 Apollo, Manchester

PROVISIONAL MEMBERS

02 Guildhall Southampton The Old Vic Theatre

Flame Concepts

Oxford Playhouse

Margo Tickets

Palace Theatre

Minor Tickets

Phoenix Theatre

Ringside World

Piccadilly Theatre

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS – VENUES

Playhouse Theatre Prince Edward Theatre Prince of Wales Theatre

ACC and Echo Arena, Liverpool

Princess Theatre, Torquay

Adelphi Theatre

Queens Theatre

Aldwych Theatre

Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent

Almeida Theatre

Really Useful Theatres Group

Ambassadors Theatre

Richmond Theatre

Apollo Theatre

Royal Opera House

Apollo Victoria

Royal Shakespeare Company

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

St James Theatre

Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham

St Martin’s Theatre

Bristol Hippodrome

Savoy Theatre

PRODUCERS

ORGANISATIONS National Arenas Association Society of London Theatre UK Theatre

AFFILIATES Abbey Box Office AKA Barley Arts International Best of Theatre Best Union UK Boom Ents CheapTheatreTickets.com Dewynters Front Gate Tickets Get Street Team JM Marketing Made in 2010 O2 Priority Spektrix Theatreland theatremonkey.com TicketPlan TopTix UK Tungate Group

TR AVEL AFFILIATE MEMBERS Big Green Coach/Planet Festival Hotel Direct Scancoming Show & Stay Superbreak Tickettree.com

PERIOD OF THIS REPORT This report covers the period from November 2014 to October 2015 in line with the Society’s accounting reference date. In the interests of keeping the information enclosed as current as possible, information about the period from November 2015 to June 2016 is also included where relevant.

THE PURPOSE OF STAR The Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers, or STAR, was formed in November 1997 by a number of companies and organisations within the ticketing industry to promote high standards of service to consumers and to enhance and promote the public perception of the ticket agents’ industry

The membership of STAR is drawn from the ticketing industry. The administrative functions are carried out by the Council which, together with the Chair of the Council, is elected annually by the membership of STAR. Day-to-day functions are carried out by the Secretariat, which provides information and advice in relation to STAR and the operation of its Code of Practice. A sub-committee examines all breaches of the Code reported to it and disciplines members where it considers such action necessary, action that potentially including expulsion from STAR in the most serious cases. Appeals in relation to the sub-committee’s decisions are heard by the Council. The membership of this sub-committee is drawn from members of the Council and independent persons, the latter always being in the majority and providing the Chair. Any Council member with a business interest in a case being considered by the sub-committee is not eligible to vote on any matter concerning such a case at a meeting at which it is considered.

STAR is funded by annual contributions from its membership. Membership of STAR can be recognised by the use of the organisation’s registered trademark, found on the cover to this report.

THE CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT This is my first statement as Chairman of STAR and what an interesting time to get involved when ticketing is once again featuring prominently in the news. Professor Michael Waterson’s review of consumer protection in the secondary ticketing market has just been published amidst much debate from those lobbying for or against further legislation around the resale of tickets.

for winning the award this year. It was great that so many of their customers wanted to show very genuine appreciation of the service they had received from Phil Allen, Will Langdale and the rest of the team in Hull.

I was really pleased to be approached last September about taking over from Tom. Even though I have had some exposure to the complexities of ticketing through my Parliamentary work, I am essentially an ordinary ticket-buyer and that puts me in a good position to support fellow consumers through the work of STAR.

Returning to the Waterson Report, I realise I have joined STAR at a time of considerable debate in the ticket industry. I also joined knowing that the majority of members had agreed last year that the Code of Practice should be extended to include standards for consumer protection by online resale marketplaces. The recent report has underlined the need for the ticket industry to work pragmatically and co-operatively to ensure that people can sell and buy tickets safely and confidently in a secondary market. There are of course a number of continuing concerns – for instance how event owners can control tickets for events and combat the use of ticket-bots during major on-sales - but there is a fundamental need for the ticket industry as a whole to own these issues and to find and manage the solutions. Consumer protection is core to this and I believe that STAR developing a code of practice for resale is a wise and responsible course of action. STAR needs to be at the heart of all developments and regulation affecting UK ticketing.

STAR has been continuing its efforts to help improve online ticketing for customers with disabilities. An excellent technical breakthrough has been The Ticket Factory’s recent work to integrate their ticketing system with the Credability Access Card, enabling easy online booking for cardholders. We hope that other venues will continue to encourage their systems providers to provide similar functionality in the near future.

A sub-group of the Council has been working on a complete review of the STAR Code and the drafting of the resale provisions and they are currently assessing any further necessary changes in light of the recommendations made in the Government report. This work will also pick up on the findings of a current consultation with members regarding face value and how pricing elements of tickets are provided to customers.

Another initiative which has started to make some good progress in the past few months is the development of training for young people working in ticketing. Will Quekett has been persistently pushing through the various moving goalposts of the UK apprentice scheme framework and the Council is grateful to Steve Haworth from the RSC who has agreed to chair a ‘Trailblazer’ employers group to take this to the next stage. A great deal of the necessary groundwork was completed a couple of years ago when STAR led the development of the National Occupational Standards necessary to build a formal training programme.

Before I conclude may I say a big thank you to Jonathan Brown for his unstinting efforts on behalf of STAR ably assisted by Beth and Roz in the Yorkshire office. I took advantage of a visit to York this Spring to pop in and enjoy a cup of tea and a biscuit as the emails started to arrive on another busy day. Also thanks to STAR Council Members for making me feel welcome and behaving themselves, most of the time, under my Chairmanship.

It is an issue I have been familiar with for a few years now. During my time as MP for Torbay I served as a member of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee and participated in their 2007 enquiry into ticketing. Indeed, I remember meeting STAR’s Chairman at the time, Tom Wright, and Chief Executive, Jonathan Brown – albeit across the room as they gave evidence to the committee.

Public awareness of STAR is absolutely key to educating ticket buyers and a campaign last autumn was very successful and gained a great deal of coverage in the media – including radio and TV. The best way of reaching consumers is through our members contact with their own customers. It is therefore extremely important that all members participate in initiatives such as the PR campaign. My thanks to all those that did so last November. The Award for Outstanding Customer Service that we run with the Society of Box Office Managers is another opportunity for public awareness of STAR and I would like to record my congratulations to one of our regional members, TicketTree,

Last summer, Tom Wright was given a fine send-off after 13 years as Chairman. Many members contributed specially printed tickets, commemorating the time he had given and which were framed and presented to him by the Council. I am very pleased to have been offered the opportunity to help lead STAR through the next few years and to strive to meet the challenges we face in providing the high level of self-regulation and protection that ticket-buyers deserve.

Adrian Sanders Chairman

THE STAR COUNCIL The STAR Council comprises the elected directors of the organisation. Elections take place each year at the Annual General Meeting. All members of the Council retire at the AGM two years after they are elected AGM but may stand for re-election if they so choose. New nominations to the Council are solicited from the membership. The present Council comprises: ADRIAN SANDERS (CHAIR) SAAD AFZAL Ticketing Director, Live Nation (Music) UK Limited HELEN BROWNLEE Head of Sales, Ambassador Theatre Group JANE DRAKESMITH (EX OFFICIO) Head of Sales and Ticketing, Society of London Theatre MARTIN FITZGERALD Chief Commercial Officer, See Tickets STEVE HAWORTH (EX OFFICIO) Head of Sales and Ticketing, Royal Shakespeare Company RICHARD HOWLE Commercial Director, Really Useful Theatres Group ANTON LOCKWOOD (EX OFFICIO) Promotions Director, DHP Family, representing the Concert Promoters’ Association WILL QUEKETT Business Development Director, JM Marketing Ltd CHRIS RYAN (EX OFFICIO) Commercial Director, Encore Tickets DOUG SMITH SVP, Business Operations, Ticketmaster UK DAVID THOMAS (DEPUTY CHAIRMAN) Head of Theatre and Events, Superbreak

No Council members are retiring at the AGM on 23 June 2016 but there are two vacancies for which an election will be held. The day-to-day administration of STAR is dealt with by the Chief Executive, Jonathan Brown and External Relations Assistants, Rosaline Love and Beth Richardson.

THE WORK OF STAR The STAR Website (www.star.org.uk) receives around 215 visitors a day. The website offers visitors comprehensive advice on ticket buying, news updates, contact details for members, the Code of Practice and information on making a complaint. STAR members are asked to provide a link from their own websites to STAR and links can also be found from other resources providing information to the ticket-buying public.

THE STAR HELPLINE The STAR Helpline (01904 234737) receives a broad range of enquiries which, along with enquiries submitted by post and e-mail ([email protected]) include: • complaints (against members and non-members) • requests for advice as to how and where to buy tickets • press and media enquiries • enquiries from new businesses in the industry • enquiries from trading standards bodies • membership enquiries

COMPLAINTS STAR requires that members deal with complaints within five working days. On occasion new or unresolved complaints are referred to STAR, either by the members or the customer involved. Conciliation then takes place through the STAR Secretariat in an effort to reach a satisfactory resolution. In the event of a dispute not being resolved through this process, complaints may be referred to an independent disciplinary sub-committee to resolve the issue and, if necessary, to issue penalties if a member is found to have breached the Code of Practice. These penalties include fines, suspension of membership and, ultimately, expulsion from STAR. In the year ended 31 October 2015, STAR received 746 (466 in 2014) complaints, the majority of which were resolved immediately by the member concerned. The highest level of complaints focused on booking fees (13%) with cancellation of events (12%) and delivery issues (12%). being the next two main causes for complaint. It was not necessary for any complaints to be referred to the disciplinary sub-committee during the year. The number of complaints referred to STAR will often depend on how individual member companies use STAR effectively in their dispute resolution procedure. The majority of members resolve disputes directly with customers before they ever need to be referred to STAR.

Examples of Complaints A ticket buyer from Newcastle was surprised to receive an email confirmation that she had booked tickets over the phone for an event in Cardiff rather than the performance in her home city. As she was unable to use the incorrect tickets, she asked whether they could be exchanged for the Newcastle show. The ticket agent was able to confirm that details of the Cardiff performance had been repeated to the customer at the time of booking in line with their usual checking procedures and they would therefore not be able to exchange the tickets. After the customer escalated her complaint to STAR, we were able to encourage the agent to discuss the matter with the venues and they were able to arrange an exchange, much to the delight of the customer.

A couple of days before the date of the performance, a customer who had booked tickets for a concert in the West End received an email telling him that there had been an administrative error and that he had not paid the correct price for his tickets. He would have to pay the difference or accept different seats. He disputed this decision as he had bought the tickets long before the event was due to take place and was only informed of this error two days before the event. The ticket agent agreed that, as the error had been the fault of their correspondence and as the customer had been notified at late notice, they would honour the booking at the original price he paid.

Someone who bought a “Meet and Greet” package for an event didn’t receive a specific benefit that had been offered – automatic fan club membership for the band he was going to see. Although he had contacted the ticket agent directly about this, he had not received a response and therefore escalated the complaint to STAR. The ticket agent confirmed that there had been a mix-up between the packages that were available to customers in the presale period and in the general sale. This customer had been incorrectly offered exclusive benefits that were only available in the presale. The ticket agent accepted that this was their error and offered the customer a £25 gift voucher. The customer was happy to accept this as fair resolution.

THE SOCIETY OF TICKET AGENTS AND RETAILERS (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUAR ANTEE)

REGISTERED NO. 3453544 UNAUDITED DIRECTORS’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2015

COMPANY INFORMATION Directors T Wright (resigned 6 July 2015) R Edwards (resigned 17 February 2016) G Nutley G Nutley (resigned 6 July 2015) D Thomas S Afzal M Fitzgerald H Brownlee W Quekett D Smith R Howle N Edwards (appointed 6 July 2015, resigned 11 May 2016) Company secretary

J Brown

Company number

03453544

Registered office

Regina House 124 Finchley Road London NW3 5JS

Trading address P.O. Box 708 St Leonard’s Place York YO1 0GT Accountants Nyman Libson Paul Chartered Accountants Regina House 124 Finchley Road London NW3 5JS

THE SOCIETY OF TICKET AGENTS AND RETAILERS (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUAR ANTEE)

DIRECTORS’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2015 The directors present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2015. PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES The principal activity of the company is to operate an organisation which is representative of all those involved in the sale or resale of tickets within the entertainment industry and which enhances and promotes the public perception of this industry and promotes good practice and high standards of service to the general public. DIRECTORS The directors who served during the year were: T Wright (resigned 6 July 2015) R Edwards (resigned 17 February 2016) G Nutley (resigned 6 July 2015) D Thomas S Afzal M Fitzgerald H Brownlee W Quekett D Smith R Howle N Edwards (appointed 6 July 2015, resigned 11 May 2016)

DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES STATEMENT The directors are responsible for preparing the directors’ report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to: H select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; H make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; H prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business. The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. In preparing this report, the directors have taken advantage of the small companies exemptions provided by section 415A of the Companies Act 2006. This report was approved by the board and signed on its behalf. D Thomas Director 19 May 2016

THE SOCIETY OF TICKET AGENTS AND RETAILERS (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUAR ANTEE)

CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON THE PREPARATION OF THE UNAUDITED STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE SOCIETY OF TICKET AGENTS AND RETAILERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2015 In order to assist you to fulfil your duties under the Companies Act 2006, we have prepared for your approval the financial statements of The Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers for the year ended 31 October 2014 which comprise the profit and loss account, the balance sheet and the related notes from the company’s accounting records and from information and explanations you have given to us.

with AAF 2/10 as detailed at icaew.com/compilation. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than The Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers and its board of directors, as a body, for our work or for this report.

As a member firm of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), we are subject to its ethical and other professional requirements which are detailed at icaew.com/regulations.

It is your duty to ensure that The Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers has kept adequate accounting records and to prepare statutory financial statements that give a true and fair view of the company’s assets, liabilities, financial position and profit. You consider that The Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers is exempt from the statutory audit requirement for the year.

This report is made solely to the board of directors of The Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers, as a body, in accordance with the terms of our engagement letter. Our work has been undertaken solely to prepare for your approval the financial statements of The Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers and state those matters that we have agreed to state to them in this report in accordance

We have not been instructed to carry out an audit or review of the financial statements of The Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers. For this reason, we have not verified the accuracy or completeness of the accounting records or information and explanations you have given to us and we do not, therefore, express any opinion on the statutory financial statements. Nyman Libson Paul Chartered Accountants Regina House 124 Finchley Road London NW3 5JS 19 May 2016

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED CALENDAR 31 OCTOBER 2015 PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT Note

2015 £

2014 £

TURNOVER Administrative expenses

1

122,295 (123,933)

96,879 (97,346)

OPERATING (LOSS) / PROFIT Interest receivable and similar income

2

(1,638) 33

(467) 24

PROFIT / (LOSS) ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES BEFORE TAXATION Tax on profit / (loss) on ordinary activities

4

(1,605) -

(443) 271

PROFIT / (LOSS) FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR

8

(1,605)

(172)

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 OCTOBER 20145 FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets CURRENT ASSETS Debtors Cash at bank CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year

2015 £ 5 6

7

£

2014 £

1,751

£ 2,353

1,336 46,594

2,524 42,620

47,930

45,144

(11,893)

(8,104)

NET CURRENT ASSETS

36,037

37,040

NET ASSETS

37,788

39,393

37,788

39,393

37,788

39,393

CAPITAL AND RESERVES Profit and loss account

8

The directors consider that the company is entitled to exemption from the requirement to have an audit under the provisions of section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 (“the Act”) and members have not required the company to obtain an audit for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of the Act. The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and for preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at 31 October 2014 and of its profit for the year in accordance with the requirements of sections 394 and 395 of the Act and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the company. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to companies subject to the small companies regime within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective April 2008). The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the board and were signed on its behalf on 19 May 2016.

D Thomas Director

W Quekett Director

THE SOCIETY OF TICKET AGENTS AND RETAILERS (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUAR ANTEE)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2015 1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES 1.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective April 2008). 1.2 Turnover Turnover represents subscriptions and levies receivable from members. 1.3 Tangible fixed assets ad depreciation Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of fixed assets, less their estimated residual value, over their expected useful lives on the following bases: Office equipment - 25% 2 OPERATING PROFIT The operating profit is stated after charging:

2015 2014

Depreciation of tangible fixed assets: - owned by the company Pension costs

£ £ 846 309 2,547 -

3 DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION Aggregate remuneration

2015 2014 £ £ 2,000 3,000

4 TAXATION UK corporation tax charge/(credit) on profit/loss for the year

2015 2014 £ £ - (271)

5 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Other fixed assets Cost £ At 1 November 2014 3,140 Additions 244

At 31 October 2015 3,384 Depreciation At 1 November 2014 Charge for the year

787 846

At 31 October 2015 1,633 Net book value At 31 October 2015 1,751 At 31 October 2014 2,353

6 DEBTORS Trade debtors Other debtors Tax recoverable

2015 2014 £ £ 1,063 2,238 - 15 273 271

7 CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year Trade creditors Other creditors

1,336 2,524 2015 2014 £ £ 6,242 463 5,651 7,641 11,893 8,104

8 RESERVES Profit and loss account £ At November 2014 39,393 Profit for the year (1,605) At 31 October 2015 37,788 9  COMPANY STATUS There is no overall controlling party of the company, and it does not have a share capital being limited by guarantee. In the event of the company being wound up, the maximum amount which each member is liable to contribute is £10. At 31 October 2015 there were 43 full members (2014: 36).

10 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS Turnover includes £81,025 (2014: £60,885) in respect of fees receivable from the company’s full members. At the balance sheet date members owed £Nil (2014: £710) to the company.

SOC I E T Y O F TI C K E T AG E NT S A N D R E TA I L E R S P O B OX 70 8 YO R K YO1 0 GT T: +4 4 (0) 19 0 4 234737 E : I N F O@ S TA R .O RG .U K W W W. S TA R .O RG .U K